Wednesday, 30 May 2018

The artificial grass just inside the Indian Gate was laid in Oct 2016 as an 'experiment'. It seems to have failed. It is losing its colour and beginning to look like worn carpet; even more unsuitable for a Grade II listed garden and one of the first things a visitor sees inside the main gate,

It should be replaced by a low, tough shrubbery surrounded by low railings. There is no shortage of other grassed areas in the gardens that are accessible to visitors.

Friday, 18 May 2018

You don't get many Gilbert & George works to the gallery wall but what the exhibition lacks in number it more than makes up for in the stunning, visual impact of the art.

Playful and ambiguous, the works on show explore themes essential to humanity and contemporary society including sex, faith, and identity. The exhibition comprises works ranging from 1969 to 1991 including 'Existers' created in 1984 and later works such as 'Hunger' and 'Thirst', both created in 1992 and 'Family Tree' 1991. The works use the artists’ own image, their place as misfits in society and their concept of ‘art for all’.

Many of the big, brightly coloured works are from the 1980s, a period of huge energy and change for the artists, when Gilbert & George were also developing new and specifically modern techniques of photography and printing.

Saturday, 12 May 2018

Waterstones Brighton are hosting a fundraising evening for the Brighton Suffragette Blue Plaque Campaign. The main event of the night will be a panel discussion with Helen Pankhurst (writer, women's rights activist and great granddaughter of Emmeline Pankhurst), Jean Calder (former Brighton councillor, journalist and community activist) and Frances Stenlake (author and historian). The evening will be chaired by Caroline Lucas (Green Party MP for Brighton Pavillion, author and campaigner).

Tickets for this event are £3 and include a glass of wine on arrival. There will be a collection at the end of the evening to raise money for the Brighton Suffragette Blue Plaque Campaign. Tickets are available online from the bottom of this page, by emailing events.brighton@waterstones.com, by calling 01273 206017 or by talking to the ground floor booksellers.

Wednesday, 9 May 2018

BHCC is working on a plan to improve and enhance the popular garden and has launched a public consultation to find out what residents and visitors think.

Up until the 29 June the public will have the opportunity to comment on all aspects of the garden from planting, seating and walkways to attractions and events. Views are also being sought on how to tackle antisocial behaviour and whether a boundary should be created so that the garden can be secured at night.

The council is committed that the garden will remain free and accessible to all as one of the most important green spaces in the city. This survey will support its bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund as part of Phase Two of the Royal Pavilion Estate project.

The results will also feed into the final draft of a conservation and management plan. Historic England recommended the council draw up the plan for the Grade II listed garden.

The Royal Pavilion Garden is one of the few remaining Regency gardens in the country and is considered one of the nation’s most significant outside spaces.

If it was a London square during a sunny lunch time nearly every square metre would be occupied by workers with their sandwiches making the most of their midday break. As it is, this tranquil open space, only 5 minutes from busy Churchill Square, is almost deserted. Is it Brighton's best kept secret or are people put off by the climb up Dyke Road?

The two trees above have been struggling for years. The furthest one has been replaced at least once. Perhaps, once they have managed to lift their crowns above the worst pollution, which we have to breathe, they will do better.

The Clock Tower.

Trees of shorter habit do not have the option of growing out of the worst pollution and eventually succumb. The nearest one, arguably in the worst pollution died last year. It looks as if the furthest one is suffering the same fate.

Western Road

Wider, traffic-restricted Western Road has smoother traffic flow and all the trees are doing better. The specimen illustrated has been heavily pruned at least once.